William. Billy. Will. Liam. Billiam. The birth story.

I had him on Thursday of last week, September 11th.
I’d been having contractions on going for days and it seemed like they were getting stronger and a bit closer together. I’ve been in labor before (of course) so I knew for sure that I wasn’t right in the meat of it or anything but with Christian my water broke and I progressed really fast so I was nervous about not showing up in time. Plus I hadn’t gotten my results from the Group B Strep test yet and I knew I wanted to be there long enough for the meds to run their course at well (which takes 4 hours)
So I hesitantly decided to go in to the hospital and get checked.
From the minute I walked in the doors I was absolutely certain they’d be sending me home.
They set me up to the machines and checked me I was dilated to 2.5 CM which was exactly what I was dilated to a week before at my Doc appointment. She also said I wasn’t having very many contractions according to the monitor. So much for being in labor!
I quickly texted my mom that it was a false alarm and not to bother coming over.
The nurse was really sweet and she said we should wait another half an hour or so just so she could check me again and then she could send me home.
I was starving and ready to go eat some lunch and even though the thought of having the baby was exciting, I was happy to let him cook a little longer.
A little while later she came in to give me another quick check and get me on my way.
She instantly got a shocked look on her face and said “um…you’re at a 4 now…so I’m going to go call your doctor, stay put.”
An hour later she check me again and said “Well, you’re at a 5 now. Looks like we’re having this baby today!”

Nick started to get so nervous and excited. He said it was like Christmas, his birthday and Masters week all wrapped into one times 100! I was excited but nervous since I was just barely 37 weeks. Christian was born at 37 weeks and 2 days and he spent 10 days in the NICU. I really didn’t want to see this baby go through that. My doctor was so sweet and he said at this point it was only a 5% chance he’d be underdeveloped so not to worry too much.

At about 10:30pm I was at a 10 and ready to go. As soon as he came out they laid him on me and I couldn’t believe how much he looked like Christian! I kept asking if he was grunting because I was so scared that he would be (that’s what they do when their lungs are struggling) they took him over to the table on the side of the room and said they were sorry but yes he was grunting but they might be able to get it under control. My doctor could tell I was really concerned and he kept saying, let’s believe he’s not in the 5%. After 15 minutes the nurse, who happened to be one of my friends, said she still couldn’t get him to stop grunting so they need to take him over to the NICU but they wouldn’t admit him right away, he might come back in just a few hours if we got lucky.
I was really trying not to be a baby about it but when they took him out of the room I started balling. The last thing I wanted in the world was to be separated from him and for him to be struggling. My doctor came over and said he was really sorry and he knew that was my biggest fear but that he still had a few hours to get better and I shouldn’t lose hope just yet.

I was praying for him and hoping he’d be able to come back soon. Nick and my dad went over to where he was and gave him a special prayer as well, which did make me feel a little better.

I had an epidural and even though I was pretty sure I could walk (I could move my legs the whole time and still felt everything on a MUCH smaller scale) the nurses thought it would be best if I got some rest before heading over to the NICU. About three hours later they called my room and said he seemed to be doing really well, was acting really hungry and wondered if I wanted to come down and try to feed him. I hurried down and was thrilled when he latched right on! (it took like a million tries with Christian) His breathing had improved a great deal and once the feeding was over they said we could take him up with us!
I can’t even explain how happy and relieved I was to have him back in my arms and doing well!

We brought Christian in the next morning and he is so in love. He keeps saying “He’s really cute to me!” and he’s got his own name for him. Billiam. It’s so adorable when he says it!

Anyway I know that was a LOOONG story but I just think that babies are such incredible miracles and I could hear birth stories all day long, so I wanted to share:)

For the next couple of weeks I am going to be all wrapped up with this teensy tiny baby and to be honest beauty is bound to be the last thing on my mind! But I thought it would be fun to go through some of my very favorite old posts dust them off, freshen them up and have some “Greatest Hit Reruns” I just feel like there are so many awesome tips that get buried and this is a perfect chance to let them shine! (I also might throw a few new ones in the mix with content I’ve already created before baby arrived. So keep an eye out for that as well.)
Love you all!!

Angelica Marquis

Congratulations! He is just beautiful!! Thanks for sharing this special blessing with all of us! And the picture of Christian holding him is so precious. Take your time just enjoying them! 🙂 God bless your little family!

Miki

September 15, 2014 at 10:27 pm

Congrats!! He’s beautiful. That’s so wonderful. Birth is so amazing, I agree. That’s awesome you could still walk/feel somewhat. Haha my legs were totally numb. Anyhoo … Don’t stress out. My son was born at 35 weeks, and he was a trooper! His lungs weren’t fully developed but he didn’t even act like it bothered him LOL. Really the only issue we had was jaundice. He powered through both. He was in the hospital for a week, and that was really only an extra precaution, and he came out of it unfazed. He’s one tough crazy kiddo. He’s a super healthy and very active kid now 9 years later.
P.S. Old posts are always great to see again! There are tons of old gems. You go take care of that little angel.

Jamie

Maria Wright

September 16, 2014 at 12:06 am

He is perfect! Congratulations! You are surrounded by amazing guys. I am so happy for you and your growing family. Thank you so much for letting us be a part of this experience with you. I feel like I have known you for years and am just overjoyed for you. Many blessing and beautiful thoughts are being sent your way

Debbie Verdon-Smolka

Perrine

September 16, 2014 at 12:40 am

Hi Cara, congrats on your new little baby he is soo sooooo cute 🙂 a beauty just like his mom. I’m from France and I am so addicted to your blog, I’ve been reading it for a long time now and enjoy it so much !!! it’s the best blog out there for me.

Angie

September 16, 2014 at 12:48 am

Congratulations! He is just perfect! I love birth stories too, so thanks for sharing! I’ll really look forward to the ‘greatest hits’ posts- what a great idea! (But take your time!) Many blessings to you and your family.

Wendy

Heather Z

September 16, 2014 at 1:58 am

He is so beautiful! Congratulations to you and your family! I’m so very happy for you! I have followed you from the very beginning, I love and enjoy everything you do and give us. Now is your turn to just love and enjoy, and concentrate on you. Take in all those special moments!

Lisa

Lexie

Erica

September 16, 2014 at 2:10 am

Aww congratulations! ! He’s so beautiful! And that picture of him and your big little is too precious. Although I must say I’m jealous. 😉 I’m 37w3d with twins and very much ready for this pregnancy to be done lol

Patty L

He is beautiful! Thank you for taking the time to share your story, I could read birth stories all day long too. I know the pain of having your baby whisked away after birth, I’m happy to hear it was just hours and now days. Congratulations to you all 🙂

Elizabeth

September 16, 2014 at 3:12 am

Congratulations!!!! I had no idea when I saw the post in my inbox it would be a birth announcement!!! So happy for you and that baby is doing fine. He is beautiful!!! Hope to see more pics of this little guy soon. God bless!

Laura

Congratulations Cara! He’s so beautiful and I love that picture of him and Christian together! I’m glad you and the baby are alright and I hope you have a wonderful next couple of weeks (and I hope u get a chance to sleep occasionally lol).

Shannon Verucchi

September 16, 2014 at 3:28 am

Congratulations!!! Reading your story I could feel your excitement!! Brought me back to 19 and almost 16 years ago when my boys were born. Praise God for a healthy beautiful baby!! He is so beautiful!!!!

Corinn

Whitney

September 16, 2014 at 4:01 am

Cara, congratulations! He is so beautiful. I found your blog when I was pregnant and wanted to thank you for bringing me so much joy. I had hyperemesis for 9 months and was too sick to really do much of anything. Visiting your site was one of the things I could enjoy! Your sweet nature and honesty comes through in all of your posts and videos. Just wanted to congratulate you on your precious little ones and thank you for helping me through a difficult time!

Marylisa k

September 16, 2014 at 4:02 am

God bless you and your family. Especially baby “billiam” so happy it was a happy ending and greatest hits is the best idea!!! Enjoy this special time with your new baby and Christian their bond will be wonderful. They look like twins. Enjoy!!!

Alisha

Dana

Megan

September 16, 2014 at 5:38 am

Congratulations Cara and family! Our little guy is ten weeks today and I loveeeee hearing birth stories 🙂 Thank you for sharing yours! And I love the name William 🙂 We almost named our guy William (after our best friend who passed away), but we decided to keep it on the back burner for (maybe) another boy in the future. Love seeing other little Williams out there. 🙂 I’m so glad that he is healthy and didn’t have to be kept away from you. Enjoy your time with your family, we’re not going anywhere! I’d be thrilled if you just posted pictures of Christian and William for the next few months 🙂

Maggie

September 16, 2014 at 5:42 am

congrats! I had my William last August. He is the sweetest baby in the world. It is a good name. I love reading your birth story. Like you I can hear a hundred birth stories and not get tired of them. Good luck. And don’t forget you will be wrapped up in the best purest beauty there ever was.

Elizabeth

Kate

September 16, 2014 at 5:47 am

Congratulations to you, Cara, and your whole family! He’s beautiful! Your story made me cry and I’m glad everything turned out to be okay! Enjoy every minute with him! I swear the time goes faster with the second baby than the first one! 🙂

penny

Danielle

September 16, 2014 at 5:51 am

Oh. My. Goodness! He is absolutely perfect. What beautiful boys you have; welcome to the “Two Boys Club”…it’s a wild ride, so hold on mama! My boys are 5 and 3, and I absolutely love their dynamic. Before you know it, they’ll be chasing each other through the house, riding bikes together, wrestling, and creating their lifelong bond as best friends.

“You (God) made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! Psalm 139:13-18

May both your sons grow to surrender to Jesus and serve Him all the days of their lives. May you and your husband be the examples they need to do that. Blessings,

Faith

September 16, 2014 at 6:15 am

Congratulations Cara! He is beautiful and perfect! I am glad everything turned out OK, I know how scary it is. You just focus on your family now. We’ll be here when you’re ready to come back. Take care!

Oh Cara, I’m so honored to have gotten up this morning to find Billiam’s birth story waiting for me! He’s just precious, and Christian’s going to be such a great big brother! I’m also so glad you all didn’t have to go through another long trial in the NICU. Lastly, I can’t believe you took all this time to post about it, so please take all the time you need – we’ll still be here when you’re ready! Take Care.

Tara

Sally

Danica

September 16, 2014 at 7:21 am

Congratulations and all the best! I must say he is one of the cutest little guys I’ve seen!! I love following your blog and how down to earth and real you are,your the best! I loved hearing about lil Billiam’s birth story! Congrats again. <3

Virginie

September 16, 2014 at 7:24 am

Congratulations!!! He is absolutely perfect!! I’m 27 wks pregnant and just had a little scare so I’m on bed rest so this little one can bake longer. Your story just gave me the push I needed to make SURE I follow orders so he can stay in as long as possible. I’m so so happy for you and your family, so glad he only needed a couple hours and could be reunited with you. All the best xoxo

Cyrena

September 16, 2014 at 8:26 am

No way Cara! I was due on the Oct. 1st and had my 5lb 3.6oz little guy 2 weeks ago, exactly one month early. I went in to be checked, just like you, expecting to be sent home ,and had him that night. I was super worried about the NICU, the hospital where we were did not have one. So he would have to be sent to a separate hospital from me, ahh! But through a tender mercy of Heavenly Father’s, he was deemed healthy and strong enough to stay in my room with me! Where he belonged:). So happy for you guys and excited to share special moments and blessings like these.

Jen

Anna

Rachel

September 16, 2014 at 9:13 am

Congratulations! I’m glad that he is healthy and strong! I hope you have a quick recovery and that he will let you get some sleep once in a while. 😉 He’s a lucky boy to come to a family with so much love.
Thanks for sharing!

Kristin

Katie

September 16, 2014 at 10:45 am

So adorable! I had my son Liam on September 9th 2011, and I thought for sure he was going to be born on the 10th anniversary of September 11th! Coincidentally, he was born on the same day as my brother William, so I found our name choice quite fitting. 🙂

Amy

Heather

September 16, 2014 at 6:59 pm

Congratulations! That wasn’t a long story at all! I thought it was just right.

I have to say that I read quite a few blogs but I don’t think there are any other bloggers that I admire quite like you. You have a light and are truly a beautiful person. I am so happy that this sweet baby got to come to such a special soul.

Charlene

Lisa

September 18, 2014 at 3:30 am

Hi Cara- I love birth stories too and yours was so lovely! Your baby is so beautiful! It is too soon to say he looks like you? Congratulations to you and your family. I am so happy and thrilled for you! God bless and lots of hugs and well wishes.

Reenie

Jen

September 18, 2014 at 5:16 am

That picture of Christian holding little baby Billiam just took my breath away. So sweet, I’m so glad you captured that tender moment. I have found memories of the look on my 3 year-olds face when he first saw his newborn baby brother and that picture brought them right back. Take care of yourself Cara and take it easy! Love you!

Janine

Congratulations! I love reading birth stories. I was surprised to see this one so soon–I stilt thought we had weeks to wait, lol. But he is beautiful and Christian looks like such an amazing big brother. I love your husband’s description of knowing it was the birthday. He’s a keeper for sure.

Their job is truly making a record and your mind is at ease while the whole venture is running. Ahead of lengthy its time for something new, you have to get out, release all the stored up power from a few weeks of laziness.hxjqcrusher.Finally, developi…

About Me

Hi! I'm Cara.

I'm the founder and creator of Maskcara Beauty. I live in Southern Utah with my husband and three boys and one girl. (We’re a foster family!) When I’m not being a mom, I’m a makeup artist, beauty blogger and business owner. I created Maskcara to share my love of beauty.

I believe that most women are twice as pretty as they give themselves credit for inside and out, I’m on a mission to change that.